Patent GB-700908-A (GB)
Title: Machines for vending beverages
IPC: A23G3/20
Filed: 1950-05-09
Abstract: 700,908. Coin freed apparatus for preparing hot drinks from solid concentrates. AMERICAN NATIONAL DISPENSING CO. May 9, 1950 [May 27, 1949], No. 11510/50. Class 27 [Also in Group XXX] Delivery of liquids and powders: mixing storage details. In a coin freed machine in which solid material is mixed in a bowl with hot water to form a beverage air is caused to flow toward the bowl through the passage by which the material is introduced. In the machine illustrated powdered instant coffee and, optionally, powdered cream and sugar, are delivered from separate hoppers to a mixing bowl 103, Fig. 1, to which hot water from a tank 150 is also delivered, and the mixed ingredients flow through a nozzle 130 to a cup dispensed from a magazine 172 and delivered to a'platform 182. Each hopper A, A<SP>1</SP>, A<SP>11</SP>, Fig: 7, is shaped (see Figs. 2 and 3) as a 120 degree segment of a cylinder sealed at its upper end and tapering at its lower end to a valve-seat 18 normally closed by a valve 20 which is carried by a stem 22 passing through a gland 30 and repeatedly reciprocated against the action of a spring 34 while the machine is operating. The stem 22, carries differently shaped agitators 24, 26, 28. From the valves 20 the powders pass through sleeves 94, Fig. 12, and Venturi tubes 96 to the mixing bowl 103. Hot water from a pipe 114 flows tangentially into an annular passage 110 between the wall of the bowl and a skirt 106 and thence between the wall and the skirt into the bowl. The mixture flows through a diverging outlet 120 from the bowl through tubing 124, 126, Fig. 1, and 128 to the nozzle 130 which is provided with baffles 132, 134, Fig. 12. To prevent condensation of water vapour in the passages' from the. hoppers hot water is passed through a jacket 140 above the bowl and air from a blower which operates continuously is blown through conduits 144 and the passages, a vent being provided at 136, Fig. 1. The tank 150, Fig. 1, for storing hot water is provided with a heater 152 controlled by a thermostat 154 and delivery from the tank is controlled by a valve 158 .connected to the water-mains and controlled by a solenoid 160. Delivery by time-controlled apparatus. Two motors running at widely different 'speeds control the delivery of the powdered material; delivery stops when the slower motor has made a complete revolution and the faster motor an integral number of revolutions so that the faster motor provides a close determination of the duration of delivery. The faster motor drives at about 400 r.p.m. a shaft 60, Fig. 9,.fast with clutch-plates 68 which may drive clutch-plates 70 free on the shaft and integral with cams 72 which engage tappets 56, Fig. 7, on levers 44, 46, 48 to rock them about a shaft 50 so that further tappets 42, Fig. 2, on the levers reciprocate the valve-stems to deliver powder. Each clutch 68, 70 can be disengaged by a spring 78 only when an opening 74, Fig. 11 (not shown); in the cam 72 is adjacent a projection 58 on the tappet 56, and the disengaging movement is limited by a flange 76 on the cam. The slower motor 210, Fig. 13, drives at about 8-12 r.p.m. a timing shaft 212 carrying cams 222, 224 and 226 operating 'switches 234, 236 and 238 which, together with pushbuttons 202, 204, 206 and 208, Fig. 1, determining whether sugar and cream are to be delivered, control solenoids 80, 84 and 88, Fig. 7, each of which engages one of the clutches 68, 70. When one of the clutches is engaged by its solenoid it is held by engagement of the corresponding projection 58 with the face of the cam 72 until the shaft 60 has made an integral number of revolutions. When a coin is inserted and the customer presses one of the buttons 202, 204, 206, 208 according to whether he wants sugar and cream, a solenoid 176, Fig. 1, in a cup-dispenser is operated and a cup falls down a tube 178 and a shoot 180 to rest against a bracket 184. Simultaneously the motors driving the shafts 60 and 212 are started. A switch 232, Fig. 13, is closed by a cam 220 on the shaft 212 to operate the solenoid 160, Fig. 1, controlling the valve 158 to deliver hot water to the mixing bowl. Subsequently the switches 234, 236 and 238 are closed by their cams 222, 224 and 226. Switch 234 operates solenoid 80 to engage the clutch 68. 70 associated with the hopper A containing coffee so that the corresponding cam 72 reciprocates the valve 20. Switches 236 and 238 similarly operate the solenoids 82 and 84 controlling delivery of sugar and cream respectively if these ingredients have been chosen by operation of button 204, 206 or 208. The cams 220, 222,.224, 226 release their switches in reverse order and after a complete revolution of the shaft 212 the motors are stopped, and the solenoids 160 controlling delivery of hot water and the cup-dispensing solenoid 176 released, by a switch 230 controlled by a cam 218. A diagram of the circuit, which employs electro-mechanical relays, is shown in the Specification. Musical instruments. A programme of music from a wire recorder is supplied to a loudspeaker 188, Fig. 1, while the machine is in operation.